We’re excited to announce our latest partnership with Grand Tour Coaching!

Grand Tour Coaching is a training program designed specifically with Thomson Bike Tours (TBT) in mind. The goal of Grand Tour Coaching is to provide TBT clients with a training schedule designed to enhance their TBT performance tour experience. Our staff understand the rigors of the unique service TBT provides its clients. Between us we have nearly 50 years of cycling experience, a decade of which has been racing as professional cyclists, and some 15 years working as coaches and training consultants. Our experience ranges from coaching elite racers to entry level athletes: e.g., the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America’s “Team in Training” program, collegiate athletes for Yale University’s and Brown University’s Cycling Teams, for Targettraining’s coaching program, and as private coaches for recreational and elite level racers. Having worked with so wide a range of cyclists, we recognize the unique challenges faced by a variety of riders that are peculiar to multi-day performance cycle touring.

Grand Tour Coaching prepares you for your own kind of “stage race”— training you specifically to participate in a multi-day effort. Whether you are an active racer, an ex racer, a competitive recreational weekend warrior, or a near novice, the intensity of back-to-back days in alpine terrain requires a very different approach than the standard one or two day event, be it a race, a century, or a fundraising ride.

The ability to perform consistently over the course of a TBT tour is a great challenge, and meeting this challenge will translate into the most enjoyable experience for your substantial investment. As such, the focus of Grand Tour Coaching is on endurance, efficiency, and recovery—both on and off the bike. Grand Tour Coaching can help you to maximize your available training time and reach your personal goals, which we recognize are as varied as you all are individuals. Whether one aspires to be first over every climb (a lofty goal!) or simply to ride the entire tour with consistency, keeping up with whichever group you find yourself most happy, we know what it takes, and we know how to convey a training plan simply and clearly.

 

Your Customized Training Program

Initial Consultation: We’ll begin with an Initial Consultation (consisting of a written questionnaire and a phone consultation) in order to assess your abilities; discuss your work and family schedule and general lifestyle; establish your goals and expectations; and understand your geographic location and available topography and discuss the specific tour for which you are training.

Daily Training Program: From this information we’ll establish a Daily Training Program, delivered in one-month blocks but subject to weekly revision. Your program will include (but is not limited to) building strength (both on the bike and in the weight room), building endurance, and increasing power—three separate facets of training that are essential to TBT performance.

Assessment: Your program will be assessed regularly via Biweekly Phone Consultations and Regular Email Correspondence in order to address problems, concerns, illness, changes in your schedule, etc.

Secrets of the Pros: In addition to your work-outs, we’ll work with you on the “Secrets of the Pros” (the secrets of efficient training and riding), increasing your efficiency and recovery by means of form, positioning and awareness.

Nutritional Tips: We are also able to discuss Nutrition Tips for on and off the bike (eating for recovery; trimming the extra weight before your trip—when and how?).

Other topics: Other topics for discussion include: how to relax and recover on the bike; climbing and descending tips; group riding; pacing; women specific questions, etc.

Pre-Trip Consultation: Finally, we’ll provide you with an extensive Pre-Trip Consultation, explaining what to expect on your trip, what gears to put on your bike, what clothing to pack, food, etc.

Price: $150.00/month (4-6 month program); $199.00/month (1-3 months).